D-Link AirPlus Enhanced 2.4GHz Wireless Range Extender - Page 2

Once I had all of the configuration issues behind me, I got down to the business
of determining whether the DWL-800AP+ did in fact extend the range of my wireless
network. I began by testing performance of the unassisted DI-614+ router (using
NetIQ's Chariot). The throughput was solidly in the 6-7Mbps range from 10 feet
until about 125 feet, the point when virtually every wireless signal substantially
wanes in my office environment. Based on the D-Link client utility, at 125 feet
the wireless signal strength was mired in the poor range-- around 40%, which
cut throughput to a little more than 4 Mbps. Just beyond this distance, the
signal vanished entirely.

Introducing the DWL-800AP+ at a point approximately 100 feet from the router
indeed improved signal strength considerably. The signal strength at the 125
foot point (25 feet from the repeater) jumped up to a few points below full
strength and yielded throughput of about 3 Mbps. A strong signal was also obtained
at the 150 foot point--good for a throughput of 2.52 Mbps.

In fact, though 50 feet was as far away as I could get from the DWL-800AP+
within the confines of my building, I was able to continue to get a strong signal
(greater than 50%) outside the building and 100 feet down the street (and through
a stone and masonry wall), though at this point the throughput had admittedly
dwindled down to the sub-1 Mbps level. This made for a combined total of over
250 feet from the original router.

Incidentally, the D-Link client software automatically switched its association
from the router over to the repeater within a few seconds after contact with
the former was lost.

While DWL-800AP+ does greatly extend range, it doesn't necessarily do much
to improve throughput. This is not unexpected, since DWL-800AP+ must use its
22 Mbps of bandwidth to simultaneously communicate with a client and a router.
Because of this you're not going to enjoy the throughput you would if you were
associated directly with the router. Of course, using the device in straight-802.11b
mode or with multiple clients will further impact throughput.

No matter, since the DWL-800AP+ does what it advertises; it gives you stronger
wireless signals and significantly extended network range. Because of its vague
documentation and the perplexing firmware issue I encountered, the DWL-800AP+
was more of a hassle to set up than it needed to be. On the other hand, depending
on what product you use in conjunction with it and what firmware version it
has, you may not have the same trouble. If you have compatible D-Link hardware
and want to extend the reach of your network, I recommend it.